Saturday, April 1, 2017

Lent, Day 33 April 2nd, 2017

Prince of Peace: From the Cradle to the Crown and
Beyond

Jesus' Teachings

Sermon on the Mount:

The Beatitudes

We have been examining Jesus’ teachings and
discovered that the Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven was His main subject.
Furthermore, the bulk of that teaching frequently took place in the form of
parables. Entire books have been written about His parables, but we have only
covered a few of those that fall into three categories: 1) a description of the
Kingdom; 2) qualities or characteristics of Kingdom inhabitants; and, 3) how to
become part of the Kingdom. These parables included the Mustard Seed, the
Yeast, the Treasure Hunter, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Wedding
Banquet.

While the parables made up the bulk of Jesus’
teachings on the Kingdom, there are other recorded instructions, too, such as
in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt., chapters 5-7), where we return to consider the
Beatitudes. This teaching took place when the crowds were following Jesus, and
He needed a higher place to teach from—not unlike pastors at churches, who may
teach from a platform or a pulpit. Thus, Jesus and His followers climbed a
nearby hillside, where Christ taught the people about God’s Kingdom, and the
blessings His followers receive. Jesus began His hillside teaching session
with:

“You’re Blessed when:

-- you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

-- you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be
embraced by the One most dear to you.

-- you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment
you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

--you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best
meal you’ll ever eat.

-- you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared
for.

-- you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can
see God in the outside world.

-- you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s
when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

--your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you
even deeper into God’s kingdom. (MSG)

While I particularly appreciate the fresh take on
the Beatitudes and the use of modern language, other versions of the Bible
begin and end the passage with the statement, “…for theirs is the Kingdom of
Heaven,” (Mt. 5:1; 10). The verses in between remind me of Romans 8: 28: “We
can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into
something good,” (MSG). Every detail in our lives—isn’t this the concise
message in the Beatitudes? They provide direction and hope, and remind us that
God is sovereign, in control, and He hasn’t forgotten us. Thus, if John 3: 16
is the Gospel in a nutshell, then the Beatitudes are a concise Kingdom Handbook
for Living.

No comments:

TEN YEARS OF DISCUSSION

With the advent of the internet, blog-sites and websites like that of the "Former Salvation Army Officers' Fellowship" and the now defunct "Rubicon" have provided unofficial but influ­ential opportunities for free discussion. An officially-sponsored discussion forum on the IHQ website seemed to attract limited participation however.

THE RUSSIAN SA CREST 1913

Cross and Cultural sensitivity in early SA entry to Russia

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Commissioner Joe Noland

Commissioner Joe Noland

As a retired Salvation Army officer, in some ways I feel like a former officer. And as a retired Commissioner, I probably get more respect than others, but believe me there are lots of similarities between “ former” and “sent out to pasture”. I'll not bore you with the parallels, except to say that since being “pasteurized” my understanding and empathy has increased greatly.

This said to plug a blog site for former Salvation Army officers, www.fsaof.blogspot.com. I drop in periodically because the well-written posts and discussion following helps me keep everything in perspective. I would recommend the same for every not yet yet pasteurized leader because your day is coming soon considering the age at which most top leaders are appointed, but more importantly because the insight gained there will provide proper balance to your personnel related decision making during the interim.

Thank you!

A blessing every day - OWL said... Your Advent season posts by Elizabeth and Howard are a special gift that words can't describe nor can I express enough thanks. They brought a new appreciation of God's intended plan for me and all men. And thank you to you too John, our resident Pastor. There is no Salvation Army site anywhere that so completely shares the Christmas narrative. God bless you all, Former SA Missionary 25 December, 2014

The Salvation Army must not become so much of a middle-class movement that it forgets 'the rock whence it is hewn'. It is called to proclaim salvation to all classes, but its special glory should be its concern for and its ability to appeal to the lowest and most forgotten, and to be their champion in every respect.

Followers

UPDATE! 62% of the FSAOF blog visitors rate it as their #1 site for SA content and relevance!

Why do many Salvation Army officers, when they resign, no longer persist in “proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, ...

SA TODAY

WE NEED OFFICERS

Officers are not better than anybody else – we need to be clear about that. Officership by its nature is about availability and mobility. In a worldwide Salvation Army we need people who are prepared to serve anywhere and be of service to the cause of Christ, with all their gifts. We need people who are available. So the more officers the better! We need officers who see this not as a profession in a secular sense but as sacrificial service. General Lina Bond: "Officership needs to underscore sacrifice."

WELCOME!

Each week about ten thousand visitors will read this blog; 1,600,000 to date. Most of the articles are written by former SA officers. We pray that those who pause and visit this site may in some small way be challenged, comforted, and moved to reflect beyond the worldly norm. The blog serves too to inform friends and family of what we 'formers' are thinking and doing as we serve in our current chosen and assigned vocational settings.

From LONDON; ACTIVE OFFICER

Just wanted to write and say thanks for your efforts for former Salvation Army officers. Looking down the list of members on the blog I realise that there are many familiar faces and names. At the end of the day, many people are listed, who I still love and respect and who shouldn't have been put in a position where they have become former SA Officers. Anything which can harness the positive contribution they can bring and bring some care and support in what is often a very challenging decision, can only be applauded. Well done for doing this.CO UKT

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INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS LONDON, ENGLAND

I read your blog pages with great interest, which are the most meaningful SA pages on the Internet, with a substance that far outpaces even our own official SA websites. I'm particularly impressed that you are factual and accurate in your observations, especially due your transparency; not opinionated in any particular direction. You gain and win credibility as a result. IHQ

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